hydromorphone injection

This medication comes in several strengths. Be sure you are using the correct strength. The higher strength product should only be used if you have been using narcotic pain medications for a long time. Use of the higher strength medication by someone who is not regularly using narcotic pain relievers can cause very serious (possibly fatal) breathing problems.

Hydromorphone has a high risk for abuse and severe, possibly fatal, breathing problems. The risk for harm is higher if you use the wrong dose/strength, or if you use it along with alcohol or other drugs that might affect breathing. Be sure you know how to use hydromorphone and what other drugs you should avoid taking with it. (See also Drug Interactions section.) The risk for breathing problems might also be higher when you start this medication and after a dose increase. Get immediate medical help if you notice unusual slow/shallow breathing.

Keep this medicine in a safe place to prevent theft, misuse, or abuse. If a child accidentally swallows this drug, get emergency help right away.

Uses

This medication is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. Hydromorphone is a narcotic pain reliever. It acts on certain centers in the brain to give you pain relief.

How to use hydromorphone injection

Depending on your specific product, this medication is given by injection under the skin, into a muscle, or slowly into a vein. Use exactly as directed by your doctor. Learn the proper way to give injections. If you have any questions about using this medication properly, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Before injecting each dose, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. If this medication is given into a muscle or under the skin, it is important to change the location of the injection site with each dose to avoid problem areas under the skin.

Use needles and syringes only once. Learn how to discard needles and medical supplies safely. Some brands of this medication contain more than 1 dose. Some brands contain only 1 dose. Review the use of the product you have been prescribed with your pharmacist. If your doctor has directed you to use a single-dose brand, use it for only 1 dose. Do not save any medication remaining in the package. Consult your pharmacist for more information.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Pain medications work best if they are used when the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medication may not work as well. Do not increase your dose, use the medication more frequently, or use it for a longer time than prescribed. Properly stop the medication when so directed.

If nausea occurs, consult your doctor or pharmacist for ways to decrease it (such as taking antihistamines, lying down for 1 to 2 hours with as little head movement as possible).

If you are taking long-acting narcotic medications or use narcotic patches for ongoing pain, this medication might be used for sudden (breakthrough) pain only as needed. Also follow your doctor's or pharmacist's instructions for safely using non-narcotic pain relievers (such as naproxen, ibuprofen). If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

This medication may cause withdrawal reactions, especially if it has been used regularly for a long time or in high doses. In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as mental/mood changes, fast breathing, yawning, sweating, watering eyes, goosebumps, muscle twitching) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions immediately.

Along with its benefits, this medication may rarely cause abnormal drug-seeking behavior (addiction). This risk may be increased if you have abused alcohol or drugs in the past. Use this medication exactly as prescribed to lessen the risk of addiction.

When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well. Your doctor may need to increase your dose or change your medication. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.

Side Effects

Nausea, vomiting, constipation, flushing, dry mouth, lightheadedness, dizziness, drowsiness, or sweating may occur. Pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To lower your risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before using hydromorphone, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other narcotic pain medications (such as hydrocodone, morphine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as sulfites, latex), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid the use of alcohol and certain other medications that cause drowsiness (see also Drug Interactions section).

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, and slow/shallow breathing.

Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the risks and benefits. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may slightly increase the risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy. Also, using it for a long time or in high doses near the expected delivery date may harm the unborn baby. To lessen the risk, use the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Tell the doctor right away if you notice any symptoms in your newborn baby such as slow/shallow breathing, irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea.

This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Tell the doctor immediately if your baby develops unusual sleepiness, difficulty feeding, or trouble breathing. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include: cimetidine, drugs that slow down the movement of the gut (such as benztropine, belladonna alkaloids, oxybutynin), certain pain medications (mixed narcotic agonists/antagonists such as pentazocine, nalbuphine, butorphanol), narcotic antagonists (such as naltrexone, naloxone).

The risk of serious side effects (such as slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/dizziness) may be increased if this medication is taken with other products that may also affect breathing or cause drowsiness. Therefore, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other products such as alcohol, antihistamines (such as cetirizine, diphenhydramine), drugs for sleep or anxiety (such as alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), and other narcotic pain relievers (such as codeine, hydrocodone).

Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products safely.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (including amylase/lipase levels), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe drowsiness, inability to wake up, slow/shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, cold/clammy skin, bluish skin/lips/nails, seizures.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others. It could seriously harm the person you give it to, and sharing it is against the law.

This medication has been prescribed for your current condition only. Do not use it later for another condition unless told to do so by your doctor. A different medication may be necessary in that case.

Missed Dose

If you are prescribed this medication on a regular schedule and miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Different brands of this medication have different storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medications away from children and pets. See also Warning section.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. In the US, the FDA recommends flushing this medication down the toilet or pouring into a drain. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Information last revised February 2015. Copyright(c) 2015 First Databank, Inc.

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

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